For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Mary ann Redondo
Does God already know who will be saved?
Tom Kofi
Don't we believe "caught up with Christ in the air" was spoken in symbolic terms? We should use discernment when reading the Scriptures. Furthermore, the term "rapture" is not yet seen in the Bible.
Jennifer Rothnie
The term 'rapture' comes from a latin translation of the greek harpázō - so in a sense the term is in the Bible. However, the concept it is usually used for (a secret taking of believers some time before the second coming) is not in scripture.
I Thessalonians 4:17 speaks of living believers being caught up into the lower clouds (greek aér), in public view of the earth. It is when we meet Christ, who is on his way down (I Thess 4:16). This is at Christ's second coming, and the resurrection of the dead which we all hope for.
Casper Mcconnell
Where in the bible is this word Rapture? Surely the word is Harpatzo, meeting with Jesus as He returns to earth- just as He left it, physically embodied.
Why is He returning? To establish the Throne of David by defeating those who would annihilate every Jewish soul on earth. A physical bloody battle.
Why does Jesus meet us in the air? To bring us with Him to the fight.
Why does He meet with us first? To judge us. God always disciplines His own children first before He would punish His enemy. This is the Bema seat of rewards, the prize giving at the end of the races. Some Christians will rise to receive crowns of authority, others will rise to be in heaven but without authority.
We know that only the faithful and intimate followers who He trusts will be given crows of power and positions of intimacy. Where will we reign with Jesus? Here on earth; don't forget we ride to meet Him in the air on His return to earth to rescue the saints in Tribulation.
Maybe the prize giving takes years or maybe nano-seconds, but by expecting His imminent return we should not get distracted from our urgent task of seeking intimacy to know His voice of command and winning at least a lowly position of trust in the battle to come
Cheryl Loraditch
Believers are spared God's wrath not tribulation, we joyfully suffer through tribulation ever since the fall in the garden and it is through the power of Jesus that together we can handle tribulations. As for the rapture, why would God give so much information about the tribulation if you were not meant to go through it? We should be joyful for it, it is a proof that we are a threat to Satan, and are a child of God.
RICK PORTER
I don't want to repeat all the points made and scripture related to a pretrib
rapture of the church or the discussion and merit of this scriptural view.
Instead, I would just ask those with a postrib return view, when do you
believe the marriage supper of the lamb Revelation 19:6-9 and the
judgement seat of God or Christ, Romans 14:10-12 and 2 Corinthians 5:10
will take place. If we are given responsibilities of leadership in the millennial
reign of Christ at the bema seat Revelation 20:6, then this should already
have taken place before second coming and millennial reign starts.